23 AMAZING SIZE INCLUSIVE SUSTAINABLE BRANDS
For my 9th birthday my mom surprised my best friend and I with tickets to the Jonas Brothers’ 2009 Lines, Vines and Trying Times world tour concert.
Like many other tween girls my age, I was a MASSIVE Jonas Brothers fan (I was convinced I would marry Nick one day).
It was my most memorable birthday- we took a limo downtown and went out to dinner before screaming out the lyrics to Paranoid at the concert.
Anyways, I bring this up because I’ve been thinking about privilege lately and how it’s impacted my life and my experiences.
While it’s not like being driven around in a limo is an everyday occurrence for me, I have had my fair share of limo-riding experiences and I know its an experience that not everyone gets to have.
Additionally, as a petite person, for example, I benefit from thin privilege.
I have never had to worry about a store not carrying my size.
It has never even occurred to me when shopping that a store wouldn’t carry my size.
When I transitioned into purchasing from sustainable retailers, once again I never had to question whether they carried garments in my size.
Unfortunately, despite the dramatic shift in retailers increasingly offering more inclusive sizing, size inclusive sustainable brands still feel few and far between.
Why Size Inclusive Sustainable Brands Aren’t As Common As Their Non-Sustainable Counterparts
Despite an obvious market for size inclusivity (the average size of an American women is between 16-18 afterall), this article by Racked outlines the challenges that brands face when they want to increase their size offerings such as costs surrounding new models, pricing strategies, fabric costs, etc.
Sustainable brands face additional challenges due to the expensive costs involved in sourcing high-quality fabrics, manufacturing and ensuring workers are paid a fair wage.
Can Sustainable Fashion and Inclusive Sizing Coexist?
Yes!
The brands featured below are all sustainable and offer sizing up to a minimum of 2XL.
While this list is by no means exhaustive, hopefully as sustainable brands become more mainstream, and sustainable fashion becomes the norm in society, more sustainable brands will be able to offer inclusive sizing to fulfill the increasing demand.
If you’re considering purchasing something from one of the size inclusive sustainable brands below, be sure to check out this post for tips on how to shop sustainably and what to do with your garment post purchase.
For reference, pricing is in USD, and the size range is based on US sizing.
Price Range:
$= typically under $50
$$= typically between $50-$100
$$$= typically between $100-$200
$$$$= typically $200+
Alder Apparel
Alder specializes in sustainably and ethically made outdoor apparel.
They carry women’s shorts, tank tops, pants, tote bags
Based in Ontario
They use recycled nylon, Lenzing Modal, Tencel Lyocell, recycled materials
Size Range: XS-4X
Price Range: $
Favourite Item: The Open-Air Pants
Image by Alder Apparel
Ace & Jig
Ace & Jig specializes in clothing created from custom woven fabrications made from textile specialists.
They carry women’s clothing, home goods, kids’ clothing and accessories
Based in New York and Oregon
Size Range: XXS-4X
Price Range: $$$$
Favourite Item: Keenan Cardi
Image by Ace & Jig
Birdsong
Birdsong offers made to order clothing, handmade knits and jewelry
They carry knitwear, jewelry, clothing,
Based in the UK
They use organic cotton, secondhand fabrics, recycled polyester, Tencel, bamboo viscose,
Size Range: XXS-3X (0-24)
Price Range: $$$$
Certifications: GOTS, EU Ecolabel,
Favourite Item: Floral Print Midi-Skirt
Image by Birdsong
Christy Dawn
They carry women’s dresses, loungewear, jumpsuits and overalls, bottoms, tops and blouses, slips, sweaters and outerwear, footwear, kids’ clothing
Based in California
They use organic cotton, deadstock fabric, organic cotton silk, upcycled cotton voile
Size Range: PXS-3X
Price Range: $$$$
Give Back Programs: Farm-to-Closet
Favourite Item: The Dawn Dress in Azure Meadow
Image by Christy Dawn
CHNGE
They carry t-shirts, crop tops, sweatshirts, sweatpants, mocknecks
Based in New York
They use organic cotton
Certifications: GOTS
Size Range: XXS-2X
Price Range: $
Favourite Item: Power of Love Black T-Shirt
Image by CHNGE
Eileen Fisher
They carry clothing, shoes and accessories
Based in New York
They use organic cotton and linen, Tencel, responsible wool, recycled cashmere, polyester and nylon
Certifications: Blue Sign Certified
Size Range: XXS- 3X
Price Range: $$$$
Favourite Item: Eggshell Recycled Nylon Hooded Coat
Image by Eileen Fisher
Encircled
Encircled features sustainable everyday and business wear.
They carry tops, bottoms, dresses, blazers and jackets and accessories
Based in Ontario
They use modal, Tencel Lyocell, rayon from bamboo, hemp, organic cotton, linen
Packaging: uses recyclable packaging
Certifications: Oeko-Tex Standard 100
Size Range: XS-2X
Price Range: $$
Favourite Item: The Fair Hoodie
Image by Encircled
Free Label
Free Label specializes in chic everyday wear made locally in Vancouver and Toronto
They carry women’s tops and bottoms
Based in British Columbia
They use supima cotton, bamboo rayon, flax linen, lyocell Tencel, organic cotton, deadstock fabrics
Packaging: packaging is 100% compostable
Certifications: Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX
Size Range: XS-4X
Price Range: $$$
Give Back Programs:
Favourite Item: Sage Isabel Wrap
Image by Free Label
Girlfriend Collective
Girlfriend Collective specializes in size-inclusive activewear
They carry activewear tops, bottom, bras, outerwear and accessories
Based in Washington
They use recycled nylon, recycled polyester
Packaging: Packaging is 100% recyclable
Certifications: Oeko-Tex, SAI certified
Size Range: XXS-6X
Price Range: $$
Favourite Item: Thyme Unitard
Image by Girlfriend Collective
Hara
They carry bras, underwear, loungewear, sportswear
Based in Australia
They use bamboo, natural dyes
Size Range: XS-5X
Price Range: $
Give Back Programs: Environmental Justice Foundation
Favourite Item: Lena High Waist Undies
Image by Hara
Jamie + The Jones
Jamie + The Jones offer one-of-a-kind items and items grown, handwoven and sewn in the US
They carry accessories, home goods, sweaters, tops, dresses, jackets, bottoms, DIY kits
Based in Tennessee
They use organic cotton, raw silk
Size Range: XS-4X
Price Range: $$$
Favourite Item: The Sweatshirt Dress
Image by Jamie + The Jones
Londre
Londre is a sustainable swimwear and loungewear brand that uses recycled plastic bottles to create their products. They have removed 100,000 plastic bottles from beaches and they remove 3 pounds of litter off of the BC coast with every order.
They carry swimsuits and loungewear
Based in British Columbia
They use recycled materials
Packaging: Compostable and recyclable packaging and carbon neutral shipping
Certifications: OKEO-TEX 100
Size Range: XS-5X
Price Range: $$
Give Back Programs: offer a recycling program and repair program, Amazon Watch, The Ocean Clean Up Project
Favourite Item: The Minimalist
Image by Londre
Mata Traders
Mata Traders gives meaningful work to women in India and Nepal and works to combat child labor and fight against gender inequality.
They carry dresses, jumpsuits, tops, bottoms, skirts, jewelry, accessories, home goods
Based in Illinois
They use organic cotton, linen
Certifications: Fairtrade
Size Range: XS-2X (0-24)
Price Range: $$
Favourite Item: Long Sleeve Callie Plus Size Wrap Dress Pink Spots
Image by Mata Traders
Mara Hoffman
They carry clothes, swimwear, accessorries
Based in New York
They use econyl, repreve, hemp, organic cotton and linen, Tencel
Packaging: Uses compostable plastic polybags, 100% recycled paper mailers, cardboard boxes
Certifications: Oeko-Tex 100 Standard
Size Range: XXS- 2X
Price Range: $$$$
Favourite Item: Extended Elle Dress in Ivory
Image by Mara Hoffman
Miakoda
They carry athletic and loungewear, zero waste kits, accessories
Based in New York
They use organic cotton, bamboo, soy, modal lyocell,
Packaging: 100% recycled packaging
Certifications: GOTS, Control Union, WRAP
Size Range: XS-4X (0-26)
Price Range: $$
Favourite Item: The Classic Bodysuit
Image by Miakoda
Outland Denim
They carry jeans, shorts, skirts, jackets, overalls
Based in Australia
They use organic cotton
Certifications: Certified B Corporation, GOTS
Size Range: XXS-2X
Price Range: $$$$
Favourite Item: Goldie Paperbag Waist Shorts
Image by Outland Denim
Proclaim
Proclaim is a lingerie brand rooted in the belief that fashion should be representative of all women and made to do good for women and the planet.
Based in California
They use Tencel, recycled polyester
Packaging: poly mailers, wrappers and hangtags are made from 100% recycled materials and are recyclable
Certifications: USDA BioPreferred
Size Range: S-3X
Price Range: $
Favourite Item: Everyday Bralette
Image by Proclaim
Pansy
They carry offer organic cotton underwear and basics
Based in California
They use organic cotton
Size Range: S-3X
Price Range: $$
Favourite Item: Drawstring Pants
Image by Pansy
Parade
Parade aims to re-write what it means to be sexy by featuring inclusive sizes, environmentally friendly fabrics and using their platform to support various causes such as Planned Parenthood
They carry underwear, hoodies and sweatshirts
Based in New York
They use recycled materials
Certifications: Oeko-Tex
Size Range: XS-3X
Price Range: $
Give Back Programs: 1% of profits donated to Planned Parenthood, donates to Yellowhammer Fund in Alabama
Favourite Item: Silky Mesh High Rise Cheeky in Lemon
Image by Parade
Reformation
They carry dresses, jeans, basics, sweaters, loungewear, swimwear and underwear
Based in California
They use Tencel Lyocell, Viscose, Tencel Modal, Linen, recycled cotton, organic cotton, econyl, recycled cashmere, alpaca, dead stock fabrics
Packaging: 100% recycled LDPE bags with biodegradable polymer
Certifications: Bluesign Certified facilities, Oeko-Tex 100 Standard
Size Range: XS-3X
Price Range: $$$
Favourite Item: Crimini Dress in Grenache
Image by Reformation
Two Fold
Two fold is a small batch clothing company. Their clothing is made to order and made from start to finish in the same facility.
They carry tops, bottoms, dresses, accessories
Based in North Carolina
They use organic cotton, Tencel, raw silk noil
Packaging: 100$ recycled packaging
Size Range: XS-3X
Price Range: $$$
Favourite Item: Misako Top in Cotton/ Linen
Image by Two Fold
Two Days Off
Two Days Off makes sustainable clothes that are made to order
They carry accessories, clothing, personal care products home goods
Based in California
They use deadstock fabric, linen, cotton, wool, ethical silks
Packaging: packaging is reusable and 100% recyclable and biodegradable
Size Range: XS-2X
Price Range: $$$
Favourite Item: Mizue Mockneck Top
Image by Two Days Off
The Classic T-Shirt Company
The Classic T-Shirt Company offers men’s and women’s luxury basics that are sustainably and ethically made.
They carry men’s and women’s tops
Based in California
They use organic cotton
Certifications: GOTS
Size Range: XS-2X
Price Range: $$
Give Back Programs: 1% of profits goes towards safe water water, tree planting and ocean cleanup initiatives.
Favourite Item: Women’s Short Sleeve Crew Neck in Black
Image by The Classic T-Shirt Company
How Can We Increase the Amount of Size Inclusive Sustainable Brands Out There?
Believe it or not, where you spend your money has value.
By purchasing from size inclusive sustainable brands as opposed to non-sustainable brands, you are showing sustainable brands that you value their work and providing them with the resources they need to grow and expand.
You are also telling non-sustainable brands that they need to change their system in order to get your business.
You can also reach out to sustainable retailers and let them know you love their products and would like extended sizing options.
Remember, your voice has power and where you spend your money can be a reflection of this.
Like I said at the beginning of this post, this list is not exhaustive and I will be continually updating the list as more sustainable brands offer extended sizing options.
Let me know in the comments if you know of any other size inclusive sustainable brands not mentioned in this list and I’ll be sure to add them in.
